Saturday, 6th April 2024, was a big day in the history of the Cologne Celtics GAA Club, as we secured our second German Hurling Cup, and reached the final of the camogie competition before losing out to the hosts, Hamburg GAA. The tournament was held in Hamburg, who had beaten us in both finals in the 2022 edition of the German Cup, held in Cologne, and were also victorious in the hurling competition in 2023.
The Cologne Celtics and Hamburg have contested three of the last four finals in the German Cup, in both hurling and camogie, with the Celtics winning two of those battles in hurling (we were also victorious in the 2021 edition), and Hamburg coming out victorious twice in camogie.
It was a memorable weekend for our players, as we bounced back from a disappointing outing at our recent Francie O’Connor Cup competition. Our players learned a lot from those defeats, and we were boosted by the return of some of our stronger players – in both hurling and camogie. It has been a successful start to 2024, and it sets us up for what should be another big year for the Cologne Celtics. This tournament report was provided by Jan Stolle, Frank O’Connor and Katharina Breuer.
- Prelude to the Tournament
- The Hurling Tournament Begins
- The Camogie Tournament
- The Hurling Final
- Atmosphere, Organisation and the Weekend in Hamburg
Prelude to the Tournament
Our players set off on Friday afternoon from Bonn, Cologne, Hannover and elsewhere to make sure they’d be there on time for the big day. Some players had a more straightforward journey than others, with Jack keeping the group updated about his rising stress level trying to reach all his connections! It wasn’t a great start for Jack when his first train of the day, from Bonn to Cologne, was delayed by 12 minutes… meaning he was on the back foot from the start! However, everyone arrived safe and sound in Hamburg.
Frank made sure the players were prepared with some motivational messages in the group chat. He also outlined where players would be playing the night before, ensuring that everyone knew what was expected on the day itself. He also provided some clear areas of importance where we needed to focus on and thus allowed us to learn from the mistakes made in the Francie O’Connor Cup competition. As it turns out, being a bit underprepared for that tournament meant we arrived in Hamburg knowing we needed to improve and knowing how we could improve.
The Hurling Tournament Begins
Our first match of the day brought us up against Darmstadt, and both teams know each other inside-out at this stage. We knew that we needed a strong start to the tournament by getting a win against them, and based on our experience in Cologne a few weeks before, we also knew that the Darmstadt players were in strong form. However, we took Frank’s message to heart and put up a strong performance. We knew not to underestimate them, so we put out our strongest available team, and we came away with the win.
It was a relatively slow start for us, but we soon got on top of the match. Our forwards and midfielders got on the scoresheet – with Fabian contributing two goals – and this allowed us to rest some players as the match went on. The final score was 4:04 to 0:04 (four goals and four points (16) to four points (4)).
Our second match of the day put us up against a mix of Setanta Berlin and Stuttgart, and we came out with a comfortable victory: 5:08 to 0:02. However, this was a more physical battle, and two of our star players, Ger and Jack picked up injuries here. Jack’s fingers were damaged, and Ger was on the other side of a powerful shoulder challenge. It would keep Ger out of action, but Jack somehow battled on, and would play a key role in the matches to come!
The third match of the day put us up against Hamburg B, and in this match, we were able to utilise our squad to a great degree. Vangelis and Sebastian played full matches here, and Malte also put in a big performance. We came away with the victory here by a scoreline of 4:08 to 0:02. This victory put us into the final against our rivals from Hamburg.
Hamburg progressed to the final comfortably as well beating Hamburg B (8:07 to 0:02, Setanta/Stuttgart (3:08 to 1:05) and Darmstadt (4:08 to 0:04), so the final involved putting the two best hurling teams on the day against each other in the final.
The Camogie Tournament
For the first time on an away trip, the Cologne Celtics were able to feature a full Cologne camogie team with nine camógs making the journey north. As well as some of our regulars, Laura, Kat, Svenya, and Julia, we were also joined by Annika, Alanna, Alex, Annie and Catríona with varying levels of experience. The tournament was the first time our players had played together and special recognition should go to Annie as a newcomer to the sport.
It took our players a bit of time to find their rhythm and determine the best positions for each player, but everyone gave their best effort, highlighting areas for improvement in the future. Our camogie team was very grateful to Jack for his management of the team – his guidance was invaluable.
The matches were all quite tightly contested with our first match ending in a draw with Setanta/Stuttgart – with the final score being 4:03 (15) to 5:00 (15). The second match was against „Team Germany“ – a mix of Hamburg/Darmstadt/Munich and Stuttgart – and there we won a very tight match by a score of 7:04 (25) to 6:06 (24), and winning that match put us into the final against Hamburg.
We ended up on the losing side of a tightly contested final with the final score 5:03 to 3:02 but it was still a fantastic day of camogie for the Celtics. Our lack of subs and reserve options played a bit of a role in our fatigue levels by the time of the final, but overall we gave it everything we could, and congratulations to Hamburg on a deserved victory.
Individual Camogie Performances
In terms of individual performances, Alanna’s outstanding display earned her the MVP of the tournament, solidifying her status as a standout player. Her exceptional performance on the field was marked by a consistent ability to capitalise on scoring opportunities whenever she gained possession.
Meanwhile, Alex emerged as a stalwart in the heart of our defence, showcasing unwavering reliability and skill throughout the day’s matches. Additionally, Laura’s commendable performance between the posts stood out, demonstrating remarkable courage as she stopped numerous scoring attempts with her shot-blocking abilities.
Despite coming in second, I am incredibly proud of what we achieved, and playing with this team was an absolute joy.
Katharina Breuer
Following the disappointing defeats in the Francie O’Connor Cup, Julia and Svenja showcased remarkable resilience as they bounced back with stellar performances. Their relentless pursuit of every ball and disruptive presence in the midfield significantly contributed to the team’s efforts. Kat continued to impress, adding another goal to the Celtics‘ tally while covering extensive ground across the matches, displaying exceptional determination.
Additionally, Annika and Annie displayed unwavering commitment and dedication throughout the day, further bolstering the team’s performance. Catríona, stationed in midfield, stood out with her exceptional fitness, speed, and overall skill, proving to be a valuable asset to the team.
Overall, the camogie team delivered a superb performance, laying a solid foundation for future tournaments throughout the year. Despite the possibility of improved results with more time together, the team celebrated their efforts with the enthusiasm of champions, uplifted by the unwavering support of the men’s team. The single-pitch setup in Hamburg facilitated easy access to other matches, with sideline encouragement serving as a motivating factor amidst the physical demands of the competition.
The Hurling Final
In a thrilling finale to the hurling tournament, Cologne emerged victorious over Hamburg with a final score of 4.11 to 4.09, following an intense battle that extended into extra time.
The match started with Cologne facing the challenge of Ger’s absence due to injury, necessitating Eoin’s inclusion in defence. Eoin delivered an exceptional performance against one of Hamburg’s key players, Fergal. Alongside Eoin, Anto continued his fine form, as arguably our best player all day, while Jan’s contributions were nothing short of excellent, bolstering Cologne’s defensive line.
Cologne seized an early advantage, surging ahead by seven points at one stage of the match. David Ryan’s remarkable display in the midfield was a highlight of the game, as he consistently delivered scoring opportunities with precision and skill. Meanwhile, Pa demonstrated outstanding form, contributing significantly to Cologne’s offensive efforts.
Despite facing challenges, including Jack’s finger injury limiting his ball-striking abilities, Cologne maintained composure and resilience. Jack’s presence in the forward line, albeit restricted in movement, proved pivotal as he capitalised on opportunities to secure a goal and two points, showcasing amazing determination and skill.
As the match intensified into extra time, the pace remained frenetic, with both teams exchanging scoring blows rapidly. Amidst the chaos, we managed to maintain a slight lead, eventually securing victory in a hard-fought contest. In the end, we won out on a score of 4:11 to 4:09.
Individual Hurling Performances
Frank played in goal, delivered three clean sheets throughout the day, and even saved a penalty. Although he was disappointed with one or two of the goals conceded in the final, he was a real leader throughout the weekend. He took on the role of organising and motivating the team, and he really helped to dispel some of the doubts that players may have had leading into the tournament.
Anto Lee, who played in the backline, was arguably our best player of the tournament. In many of our previous tournaments, he has played in the forward line where he has proved to be enormously effective but in the backline – sometimes in the free role when our opposition played only two forwards – he was able to dictate games. He was a human vacuum cleaner, sweeping up every breaking ball that came near him. Supreme passing and accurate shooting meant he gave us another option from far out the pitch.
Dave Ryan was exceptional in midfield and was able to score with precision from distance. Our players in the forward line could play with confidence knowing that if the ball broke in midfield, Dave would be able to score most of the time. His power and accuracy from the middle provided us with another option that proved decisive on the day.
Eoin Breheny was outstanding throughout the day, and we knew we could put him on some of our opponent’s key players. A very athletic player, he played in the backline and in midfield throughout the day. He formed a great partnership with our captain, Jan Stolle, who was his reliable self. Jan was, as usual, excellent in defence, and together with Anto, they really kept us motoring throughout the day. He performed a captain’s role throughout the day.
„After the tournament, being chosen as captain, and having the honour of receiving the cup and presenting it to the team was truly one of the highlights of my Cologne Celtics career. It filled me with immense pride and humility to share such a special moment with my teammates.“
Jan Stolle
Ger Cronin’s action was unfortunately cut down early after a hefty tackle in the Setanta/Stuttgart match. One of the few players to keep his reputation intact following the Francie O’Connor Cup, Ger started promisingly in the game time that he did have contributing scores from the middle of the field against Darmstadt and Setanta/Stuttgart but once he was out he also contributed enormously to our victory. He guided us from the sideline, and really helped us to focus on securing victory.
Pa Stapleton was another highly effective player in the forward line and midfield. His free-taking was crucial in a tense final and he really stepped up after Jack’s injury. His accuracy and reliability on the frees really helped the team at difficult moments and his hard running was needed in the middle of the field.
Kilkenny-man Jack Cotter was outstanding all day. He scored points, he scored goals, he played in defence and then he scored a goal and two points in the final with a fractured thumb… even when he couldn’t really strike the sliotar, he was still able to cause chaos. More than his on-the-pitch excellence, Jack managed the camogie team and was an excellent motivator for our hurling team throughout the day.
Our forward unit of Niall, Malte and Fabian did their jobs throughout the day. Fabian covered an incredible distance throughout and ran himself into the ground. In one incident against Hamburg in the last minute of extra time he chased down one of their players at the sideline, full sprint even though he was exhausted. This run and desire to block his man ensured that the Hamburg player did not get a free shot and thus missed his shot. He was a distraction for all of our opponents the whole day, fighting for every sliotar and every loose ball, and scored a couple of goals as well.
Niall used his football experience to be an absolute nuisance for our opponents and contributed two goals to the cause. He also worked all day and ran himself ragged. A smart player who knew where to be when needed.
Our forward unit could really run themselves into the ground, block and harry, knowing that our midfielders and defenders could score from anywhere on the pitch. With Dave Ryan, Pa, Anto, Eoin, Ger and Jack shooting, they knew that their job was to make sure no easy passes were coming out of the opposition’s backline.
Malte did Malte-things. His game time was somewhat reduced due to carrying an injury but when he’s in front of the goal and gets the ball somehow, then he is a danger for every goalie. That’s what he did and that’s what he does perfectly well. Malte is always a threat.
Sebastian and Vangelis were, as always, reliable as our substitutes for most games. When some of our experienced players went off, they could rely on Sebastian and Vangelis to come in and do their jobs. They stayed close to their opponents, provided physicality whenever called upon, and provided very valuable support for our team. Vangelis has a low centre of gravity and can hit hard. Although he has moved away from Cologne and is now in Hannover, there was no drop in his performance. They both were vital in victories over Hamburg B and Setanta/Stuttgart.
Atmosphere, Organisation and the Weekend in Hamburg
Hamburg played host to an excellent tournament, providing a warm and welcoming atmosphere for participants. The organisers spared no effort, setting up tents and offering a variety of refreshments, including cake, sausages, tea, coffee, drinks, and beer, creating a convivial environment for players and spectators alike. This effort should be recognised and praised, as we know how much work goes on behind the scenes to put such tournaments together.
Despite the meticulous planning, the condition of the pitch posed a challenge due to persistent wet weather in the days leading up to the event. The surface occasionally resulted in unpredictable bounces of the sliotar. However, this was a shared experience among all teams, and participants adapted to the conditions.
Overall, it was a memorable weekend for the Celtics with renditions of U2 songs on the U2 UBahn, „air-bowling“ displays on public transport and celebrations that lasted long into the night. We had a brilliant experience in Hamburg, and we are looking forward to defending our German Cup success in 2025, and hopefully going one step further in the camogie tournament, to unite the Sebastian Rießbeck and Chris Hennessy Cups in the Domstadt.
We have a full summer of tournaments in front of us now, and this German Cup victory and runners-up spot sets us up nicely for what is to come. Last year, we won the Shield competition of the 4th round in Den Haag, and we hope to add more before the end of the year. That was our first victory in European competition, and we seek now to increase our trophy collection. As well as that, we are planning our second club trip to Ireland, with our trip to play Monagea in Limerick in October, so 2024 will be another massive year for the Cologne Celtics.
With our youth and ladies‘ sections continuing to grow each year, we are continuing our progress. However, we are still always on the lookout for new players – young, young-at-heart and whatever is between them – players with years of experience and players with none. Even if you are not keen on the playing side of things, we offer social membership and a full social calendar including Music Sessions, club excursions, and Gaeilge Ciorcal Comhrás. Check out our club membership options and contact us directly if you would like to find out more about us.
Here’s to continued success in 2024.
Kölle Abú!
Photos by Ger Cronin
Cologne Celtics 